年近八旬的“老干妈”，身后有没有放心的接班人？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by Lao Gan Ma, a leading Chinese chili sauce brand, following significant management changes and the impact of these changes on the company's performance and reputation [4][5][14]. Group 1: Company Background - Lao Gan Ma has maintained a dominant position in the Chinese condiment market, holding nearly 20% market share, significantly outpacing its closest competitors [4][18]. - The brand's founder, Tao Huabi, returned to the forefront in 2019 to oversee operations after a period of decline in revenue [5][15]. Group 2: Management Changes - After retiring in 2014, Tao Huabi transferred control to her two sons, with the younger son, Li Miaoxing, becoming the majority shareholder [7]. - Li Miaoxing's initial reforms included changing the source of chili peppers from high-quality Guizhou peppers to cheaper Henan peppers, which led to a crisis in product quality and brand reputation [9][12][14]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Lao Gan Ma's revenue began to decline from 45 billion yuan in 2016 to 43 billion yuan in 2018, coinciding with increased competition in the chili sauce market [15]. - Following the return of Tao Huabi and the reinstatement of traditional production methods, the company rebounded, with projected revenue nearing 54 billion yuan in 2024, almost reaching its historical peak [15][26]. Group 4: Family Dynamics and Future Outlook - The article highlights the contrasting management styles of the two brothers, with Li Guishan, the elder brother, showing a preference for capital expansion and investment, while Li Miaoxing focused on maintaining traditional practices [19][21]. - Tao Huabi emphasized the need for her successor to possess technical skills, resilience, and filial piety, indicating that Li Miaoxing may be the chosen successor despite the challenges of replicating her management style [26][27].